District 211 Board, Teachers Ok Pact

January 16, 1995|By Pat Clawson.

Palatine — The High School District 211 Board of Education has approved a four-year teachers contract which will give the teachers a 3 percent pay increase each year, but will require the teachers to start paying part of their health insurance premiums.

The contract was ratified last week by the Teachers Union Local 1211.

Teachers who have worked without a contract since last July voted 487-107 at Schaumburg High School to ratify the agreement.

"The union feels it is an equitable settlement between the two parties," said Ronald L. Sloan, union president.

Under the agreement, teachers with family health insurance coverage will contribute toward their premium costs after the first year of the contract. Teacher costs would be $430 during the second year, a maximum of $800 the third year and $1,000 during the contract's last year.

As a concession to the teachers, administrators also will contribute similarly toward their premium coverage.

During the contract's first year, the 3-percent increase will raise a first-year teacher's annual salary to $32,239 from the current $31,300 and increase a top teacher's salary to $77,000 from the current $75,000.

Insurance benefits, classroom size, the threat of violence against teachers and the length of the school year were major sticking points in talks.